Improvement in hinges



T. FGWLER.

Hinge.

No. 202,162." Patented April 9, 1878.

w mwmw UNTTEn PATENT OEEIoE.

' THADDEUS FOWLER, OFl SEYMOUR, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN HINGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,162, dated April 9, 1878; application filed October 12, 1877.

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, THAJDDEUS FOWLER, of Seymour, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hinges; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which they appertain to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of reversible hinges which have connecting-links to prevent them from being opened fully in either direction; and it consists in combining with such hinges a rocking-plate and pivotblock to prevent binding, and in certain other improvements, all as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Figure l is a perspective view of my selflocking hinge when in its most open position. Fig. 2 is a top view-of the same when nearly closed. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views of the pivot-block and rockin g-plate.

A and B respectively designate the straps of a door-hinge, the former being provided on its face with three lugs, a a1 a2, and the latter with a pivot-block, B', having the shape of an inverted T. Lugs a and al are diagonally opposite one another at the ends of strap A, and lug a2 is at the end thereof immediately above lug a1. All three lugs are horizontal when the hinge is applied to an ordinary door.

Pivot-block B' is located in the middle of strap B, and its .upwardly-extending shank b is recessed on the side next to the last-named strap from the top downward at b1. The bottom b2 of this recess is made convex, so as to serve as a pivot for a rocking plate, C, arranged longitudinally with regard to strap B. This plate is provided on its under side with a recess, c, concaved to t on the convexity b2. Shank b prevents said platev C from separating from said strap B, except when raised vertically, and also braces said rocking plate.

The face of rocking plate C is provided at its ends with two diagonally-opposite horizontal lugs, c' o?, similar to lugs a alaz already described.

Lugs a, a', cl, and c2 constitute pivot-blocks for link-bars D D', ordinary pintles or studs being employed for the pivots. Each of these link-bars is recessed in the middle at d, so as to set over shank b when the hinge is folded together. They are preferably made at, and placed horizontally, so that they will fold compactly, D being a little above D'. D links lug a of strap A to lug c1 of rocking plate C, and D' in like manner links lower lug al of strap A to lug o2 of said rocking plate.

When turned in either direction the hinge opens freely until the straps A B are at right angles to one another. The attempt to open the hinge farther results in forcing the linkbars D D', respectively, against the faces of strap A and plate C, thereby lookin g the hinge in the position above stated, and holding the door only half open.

Plate C, by rocking, prevents the hereinbefore-described parts from binding. The attachment of the links D D' to the lugs a c1, &c., prevents the said rocking plate from being detached. Lug a2 acts as a guide and shield to said link-bars.

The hereinbefore-described hinge is intended for use as the lower hinge of a door. Metal straps or plates E E' extend from straps A B to an upper hinge, F, of ordinary construction. Said parts E E' may be dispensed with.

Block B' may lbe-made broad enough to extend across the entire face of strap B, and pierced with screw-holes, or provided with other means of attaching it and strap B to the door or jamb. *The link-bar's D D' may be pivoted to the respective pivot-lugs in any suitable manner.

The form and arrangement of any of the hereinbefore-described devices may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of my invention. v

Having thus described said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1; The combination of straps A and B with 1ink-bars D and D', upright straps E and E', In testimony that I claim the foregoing as and upper hin ge F, substantially as set forth. my own I have hereto affixed my signature in 2. The combination of strap A, having lugs presence of two Witnesses;

a al, with strap B, having recessed pivot- THADDEUS FOWLER. block Bf', rocking'plate C, having lugs 0102, Witnesses:

and link-bars D D, substantially as and for GEORGE TERRY,

the purpose set forth. W'LLLIAM F. HOPSON. 

